South Korea detects ‘GPS jamming’ by North

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea has detected alleged “GPS jamming” in waters close to its islands while North Korean leader Kim Jong-un also directed the firing of rockets in a “power demonstration.”

The South Korean military said it detected GPS jamming for third time near to islands next to western maritime boundary between the two Koreas, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

A day earlier, Pyongyang’s jamming attempts had “led to glitches in the navigation systems of fishing boats and passenger ships in the waters,” the report added.

It comes amid the firing of at least 18 rounds of multiple rockets by North Korea on Thursday which were ordered “on spot” by Kim in what Pyongyang described as “power demonstration.”

The firing of “super-large multiple rocket sub-units” aimed at “ensuring the sovereignty and security of the state with powerful and overwhelming means of war,” Pyongyang-based KCNA reported.

Earlier, in a tit-for-tat action against anti-North Korea leaflets, Pyongyang flew around 260 balloons toward South Korea carrying trash, including excreta.

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the North Korean leader, had said the balloons were “sincere presents” for South Koreans “who are crying for the guarantee for freedom of expression,” drawing condemnation from Seoul.

Meanwhile, the South’s Unification Ministry Friday said the two Koreas conducted no cross-border trade last year.

It is the first time since 1989 when the divided Koreas began trading.